I've never stayed anywhere that gave so much information up front about things to do in the area and everything was just as he described. He was correct about the best pizza in the area and his recommendations were spot on. Our group ranged from 4 to over 60 and we all enjoyed our visit. It was a very traditional, restful week--the highlights were probably crab trapping, Layton's Winery and the horses.
Super nice owners, informative and available if we needed them. Home had great location, riverfront with a pool! Home was very old which gave it a bunch of charm and character. The accommodations fit our needs perfectly. Party of 12 with a few toddlers. Plenty of room. My only complaint would be the overall cleanliness of the home. It wasnât dirty in important places but little things were. Interior rooms and kitchens were clean. The windows were all dirty, the porch needed pressure washing to get rid of dirt and cobwebs stuck in the screened in areas. The outside property was mowed but could have been weedwacked in high traffic areas like around the pool and fire pit. In the owners defense, I have very high expectations when we rent a property, and the home is very old. I am sure that I am being critical but thatâs me.
We enjoyed our stay at Spocott so much that we never had any reason to leave! There are so many activities and so many different gathering spaces that it was the perfect retreat for our large, multi-generational group of cousins.
We loved every minute of our stay. This was perhaps the most relaxing environment in which we have ever vacationed. There was so much to do on the property that we never left! The hosts were excellent communicators and very kind.
Bird watching, turtle lovers, fishing, exploring and private!
We really enjoyed this property that has so much water frontage. There are huge lawn trees that provide ample shade on how summer days. The host were very responsive and helpful in answering questions and giving recommendations.
We had a great time with extended family so nice to have this private area. Lots of activities for all ages. Caught lots of crab had a great lunchtime feast couple days.
This beautiful historic home sits right on the banks of the Little Choptank river.Really enjoyed morning coffee on the screened in porch looking out at the river.
George and Jackie supplied us with all we needed to catch and cook crabs for our entire family of 12.
We all enjoyed the extremely clean large pool and fishing off the dock was fun too.
Weather wasnt the best, rainy and a bit chilly, but that did not dampen our good spirits.
We cooked and enjoyed every meal in the house. Honestly we did not want for a thing. This house has it all. We felt so welcomed and at home. Thank you!
Spocott is a special place owned by very special people, Jackie and George Radcliff.We loved the property and the history, the constant beautiful breezes, sunsets, s'mores by the fire, the pool, all the space...our dogs were in heaven too. We had ages one month to 85 years of age and all were happy and occupied, cannot wait to return!
What a lovely historical property surrounded by natureâs bounty! I canât say enough about George and Jackie and their beautiful home and property. There is bird watching, fishing, trails for hiking, pickleball, basketball, horse shoes, swimming and just plain porch sitting! We enjoyed the screened in porch for games, reading, coffee, and just soaking in the beautiful landscape. We had coffee by the pool and campfire and sâmores in the evening. Our hosts have thought of everything you may need to enjoy this property. We loved learning the history of the home and Georgeâs family. I canât say enough about these hosts and this gorgeous property. What a relaxing week we had with extended family (ages 22-81)!
We had a great time . There was something for all ages to enjoy. The pool was great and well maintained. The home was different than any place we have stayed-old farmhouse- but even kids found it to be fun.
Beautiful setting. Very natural. Trails to walk. Very old house with history. Each room tells a story. So interesting. Rented house for 10 days so that our family could all be together. By Friday, all arrived. Very comfortable. Enjoyed crabbing, fishing, kayaking (brought their own), swimming in the pool, softball games, barbecuing, fire pit chats and music jams. Second time we rented this great home. Hosts are wonderful. You can't beat the Spocott. Highly recommend.
Culturally amazing vacation thoroughly enjoyed by all from age 20-83. From morning coffee by the pool watching the eagles, osprey, cormorants to cocktails on the screened-in porch; from crab traps to fabulous dinners; from bike rides and runs on the many miles of trails, paddling on the creek, exploring the "secret tunnel", and to just being with friends and family - this was a vacation not soon forgotten!
Such a nice place to stay with your family. The views are amazing and the water is simply beautiful. We caught crabs everyday and had enough to eat at every dinner!
Lovely vacation home right on the water. Nothing beats the screened porch facing the water. It was where we spent the majority of our time. We ate all of our meals out there as well. The owners are great at communicating and will share the history of the home and area with you. The kids enjoyed the pool, fishing and crabbing from the dock, the windmill village tour and spotting all the wildlife on the property. Very relaxing vacation. Highly recommend this rental.
Beautiful home with lots of fun quarks and history to explore. George and Jackie were always available for questions and a windmill tour. Beautiful property with an almost constant breeze. Our kids practically lived in the pool, kayaking was wonderful, and our dogs loved being outside with us.
While I understand and appreciate the hygiene aspect of the plastic pillow and mattress protectors, it did make sleeping very noisy. Definitely consider bringing your own pillows, we ended up going into town to purchase them. We definitely made use of the fans in the bedrooms.
Overall a wonderful experience!
What a perfect place for a family vacation. Our group of 8 adults and 5 kids (ages 2-15) had such a great time at the Spocott House. We took advantage of almost all it has to offer - docked a boat, rented kayaks, biked around the property (which is huge), played pickleball and yard games, and of course enjoyed the pool.
The house itself is old, but I appreciated the quirks that come with something that has been around for hundreds of years, and the property as a whole cannot be beat. I highly recommend the Spocott house for anyone looking for a relaxing trip to the Chesapeake Bay.
George and Jackie Radcliffe have spent the 48 years of their married life on the property, raising 3 wonderful sons. George Radcliffe is the six great grandson of the original owner of the property and lives on the adjoining property. His grandfather, U.S. Senator George L. Radcliffe, was born and spent much of his life in the house. Both retired school teachers, George and Jackie, with the help of their children, have restored and modernized Spocott House and developed the 200 acres as both a working farm and wildlife management area, They both retired to help take care of 3 of their grandchildren, who live on the adjoining property. George is also an avid birdwatcher and Youth Coordinator for the Maryland Ornithological Society and has set up the property as an eBird Monitoring Station.
The property has been in the family for 350 years. In 1662 the land was given to George's ancestor, Stephen Gary, for whom the Creek is named, by the King of England in exchange for Gary becoming Sheriff and High Judge of the area that would become Dorchester County. The home site was also the location of a major Native American assembly area and burial ground. In the 19th Century, Spocott was a major shipbuilding center for the area and was hence was used by James Michener as a resource in writing the novel Chesapeake. Many of the original buildings are still located on the property. The Radcliffes, in restoring the house and property, have tried to retain its historical and environmental uniqueness. The property is protected by a perpetual environmental conservation easement.
Spocott House provides a unique blend of history and environment. Located on a spacious 200 acres with over 1 mile of waterfront and 5 miles of trails, there is ample opportunity for wildlife viewing and exploration. The modernized house with its pool, largedock, and spacious lawns allows visitors multiple recreational opportunities as well as a comfortable place for a large family gathering. Part of the house has been restored to its 17th Century look, but the modernized bedrooms and geothermal heating and air conditioning make the house a comfortable place to stay year round. Step back in time to the early days of our country, and surround yourself with beautiful views of the Little Choptank River. The historic Spocott Windmill, the only working grist windmill in Maryland, and the accompanying museum complex are located on an adjacent property. Optional tours of the historic areas as well as bird walks are available to renters.